Estimating Benefits and Costs of Adaptation

摘要

In response to a request from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Research Group (ERG) ERG developed a guide called "What Will Adaptation Cost: An Economic Framework for Coastal Community Infrastructure."1 This guide is now featured on the web site of the California State Lands Commission AB 691 - Proactively Planning for Sea Level Rise Impacts - for estimating the costs of sea-level rise. ERG implemented the steps in this guide for the City of Alameda, CA, to quantify impacts of sea level rise and storm surge through an economic assessment of building damage and land loss as compared to estimated costs of shoreline adaptation. We estimated the value of market and non-market benefits (avoided costs) and costs of implementing adaptation strategies for a number of sea-level rise and storm surge scenarios. ERG has also developed a guide for communities interested in quantifying the costs and benefits of adaptation to inland flooding.2 Through ERG's work with NOAA and local governments, we have developed a range of valuation methodologies to address the question the costs and benefits of adaptation to help communities make informed decisions about how to most cost-effectively adapt to future flooding impacts. We will highlight a few of these methods, with a focus on our Alameda project, and share lessons learned to help communities understand when economic assessment methods may be appropriate to meet their needs given their resources.